Proposals sought for architectural services at VOA site

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Miami has advertised for proposals for architectural services for a proposed $5 million learning center at the former Voice of America site on Tylersville Road in West Chester.

The learning center is planned to serve residents from Butler, Warren and Hamilton counties whose place and time restrictions limit their ability to travel to Miami’s campuses or other area universities. It will provide professional and work-force development opportunities.

Collaborative programming among public and private higher-education institutions and work-force development providers is planned, including certification, credit and noncredit courses that will be offered year round.

Miami received $500,000 from the state of Ohio in the 2000-2001 capital budget for the first phase of the project. The university is seeking $4.5 million from the 2003-2004 capital budget for phase two of the project. The learning center will include flexible classroom, conference and laboratory areas, a lecture hall, administrative office and parking areas. Each classroom will be fully wired for computer network and Internet access.

Miami received title to the 20-acre site from the federal government in 2000. Butler County Metro Parks and West Chester received portions of the 625-acre site at no charge for use as a park and golf course. The remaining portion of the former Voice of America site is being developed as a commercial shopping center by private developers.

Robert Keller, university architect, said that it’s not anticipated the project will be completed until 2004 at the earliest.